POWERING GREEN STEEL
WHAT IS IT?
H-ACERO2
The general objective of H-ACERO2 is to promote the decarbonisation of the steel sector in the Basque Country, through the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels in various stages of the steel production process.
The H-ACERO2 project faces the challenge of researching and developing different technologies that have an impact on the decarbonisation of the iron and steel sector through the use of H₂ and O₂ in the production process.
Due to the variety of actions foreseen in different stages of the iron and steel process (HEA, ladles, reheating furnaces, oxy-cutting) H-ACERO2 faces a high number of technological challenges, which will be addressed from situations with different levels of maturity.
H-ACERO2 is aligned with the objectives and priority lines of the Horizon Europe (HEU) framework programme for the period 2021-2027.
The overall budget of the H-ACERO2 project for the period 2024-2026 amounts to 11,791,476.28 €.
WHY CONTINUE WITH H-ACERO2?
H-ACERO2 proposes to advance along the path towards the complete decarbonisation of the steel industry, already successfully initiated in the H-ACERO project (Hazitek Estratégico ZE-2021/00025), where a similar consortium, also led by SARRALLE ENGINEERING, has been researching various aspects of the application of H₂ and O₂ in different stages of the steel manufacturing process. In this respect, it should be noted that H-ACERO has enabled the first tests to be carried out on the use of H₂ in the Basque Country in the iron and steel sector, by means of combustion tests in a prototype furnace, which allows the new atmospheres generated by the total or partial replacement of NG with H₂ to be simulated, and by means of oxycutting tests on specimens of various grades of steel, where the effect of the use of H₂ has also been investigated.
In addition, H-ACERO has enabled progress to be made in the development of H₂ burners adapted to the requirements of steelmaking processes and in the investigation of the effect of the use of H₂ on various types of steel and on the refractory materials used in the lining of ladles and furnaces.
However, given the magnitude of the challenge posed by complete decarbonisation, there is still much room for research into the use of H₂ and O₂ in the iron and steel industry, making H-ACERO2 a strategic and necessary project for the sector. Thus, H-ACERO2 proposes, as the main advance compared to H-ACERO, to launch the study of the effect of H₂ in the fusion processes in HEA (Electric Arc Furnace), through the creation of a new prototype, which will also allow research into the innovative use of green DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) in steelworks. In addition, H-ACERO2 seeks to extend research into other stages of the steelmaking process by, among other things, carrying out proofs of concept for the use of H₂ on a larger scale than at H-ACERO.
WHO WE ARE
Project leader
Participants
RVCTI Agents
Partner
SARRALLE ENGINEERING and SARMELT ENGINEERING, will lead the project and will carry out the design, manufacture and commissioning of the heating equipment using H₂ as an alternative fuel to natural gas in the different stages of the steel manufacturing process that will be the object of research in the project.
Steel producing companies that will be the end users of the technologies and solutions to be developed, which will be adapted, as far as possible, to the particular conditions and needs of each of these companies.
They will be the partners in charge of proposing, researching and developing refractory materials adapted to the new conditions that the application of H₂ and O₂ will generate in the HEA, in the ladles/arts and in the HR.
NIPPON GASES will supply the hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O2) needed for the experimental programme of the project, will develop burners for their combustion and will provide its experience in the safe management of industrial gases.
They will be the partners in charge of proposing, researching and developing refractory materials adapted to the new conditions that the application of H₂ and O₂ will generate in the HEA, in the ladles/arts and in the HR.
They will be the partners in charge of proposing, researching and developing refractory materials adapted to the new conditions that the application of H₂ and O₂ will generate in the HEA, in the ladles/arts and in the HR.
Steel producing companies that will be the end users of the technologies and solutions to be developed, which will be adapted, as far as possible, to the particular conditions and needs of each of these companies.
As an expert in environmental impact assessment, it will provide the consortium with a specific tool to assess the impact of the solutions proposed in the project on the decarbonisation of the steel sector.
Steel producing companies that will be the end users of the technologies and solutions to be developed, which will be adapted, as far as possible, to the particular conditions and needs of each of these companies.
Technology centres that will provide the companies in the consortium with their knowledge and experimental capacity in the different fields of research proposed in the project (metallurgy, refractories, H₂ and O₂ combustion, oxy-cutting).
The Business R&D Units will provide technological support to the companies in their respective business groups to facilitate the future implementation of the solutions in their production processes.
Technology centres that will provide the companies in the consortium with their knowledge and experimental capacity in the different fields of research proposed in the project (metallurgy, refractories, H₂ and O₂ combustion, oxy-cutting).
Technology centres that will provide the companies in the consortium with their knowledge and experimental capacity in the different fields of research proposed in the project (metallurgy, refractories, H₂ and O₂ combustion, oxy-cutting).
The Business R&D Units will provide technological support to the companies in their respective business groups to facilitate the future implementation of the solutions in their production processes.
Steel producing companies that will be the end users of the technologies and solutions to be developed, which will be adapted, as far as possible, to the particular conditions and needs of each of these companies.
The Business R&D Units will provide technological support to the companies in their respective business groups to facilitate the future implementation of the solutions in their production processes.
Together with SARRALLE ENGINEERING, as project leader, it will be responsible for coordinating the tasks of disseminating the scope and results of the project at events, conferences, fairs and all other relevant forums for industrial decarbonisation and/or industrial use of H₂.
MAIN MILESTONES TO BE ACHIEVED
To analyse the HEA process and options to reduce CO2 emissions.
To understand the differences between green and conventional DRI.
Design refractories for oxy-combustion with H₂, reducing CO2 and improving resistance.
Create solutions for H₂ furnaces, optimising emissions, refractories and steel quality.
To build an installation for cutting with H₂ and CH4, adapting oxy-combustion systems.
Evaluate the environmental and economic impact of H₂ versus NG and coal, developing an online ecosystem.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
Electric arc furnace
Prototype construction for laboratory testing.
Development of burner/injector for prototype.
Development of materials for EAF.
Metallurgical analysis to analyse the ‘pick up’ of H₂.
Study of DRI Vs DRI-green.
Ladle and tundish heater
Industrial test of ladle heating.
Refractory material analysis.
Longer duration tests.
Tundish burner design and prototype furnace tests.
Reheating furnace
Study of oxy-combustion and its effect on existing furnaces.
Development and analysis of laboratory and prototype refractory material.
Longer duration tests.
Study of the descaling process after RH.
Oxycut
Cutting tests on real product sections in the laboratory and characterization.
Adaptation of industrial cutting line for proof of concept.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the H-ACERO 2 project, please do not hesitate to contact us.